[DZ_Nupe]

Just used these instructions to replace one of my Ignition Coil... Great write-up! One question however, how dows the board feel about using Advance Auto coils?

[onlyloco]

Thank you for the detailed instructions. I was able to complete the work in 2 hours. I dropped a socket while doing it and it took some time to fish it out and also had to go to Home Depot for an adapter


Overall easy DIY! thank you! next beer is on me..

Here are my Sparkplugs after 57k miles

[kabalZA]

thanks a lot, this was very useful.

btw, I havent read all pages of this thread, but my OEM plugs clearly state 22Nm, not 22ft/lbs

[uscbeemerM3]

Great diy. Did this today and wanted to add to the thread.

For getting off the coils, I used what I already had in the garage, a straight jaw locking plier aka vise grip and moved side to side while pulling up. I gripped the base of the plastic part of the coil just above the rubber part. I put black tape on the teeth so it wouldn't dig into the plastic on the coil.

You'll want to get the 5/8 "extended" spark plug socket. The normal size spark plug socket wouldn't fit over the spark plug. The length of the socket I used is 5in, a regular spark plug socket is around 3in. I used an 8in. ratchet extension. To clear the oil cap for spark plugs 1 and 2 toward the front of the car, you need about 10in. from the bottom of the socket to the ratchet tip.

I hand tightened everything from the engine cover nuts (x6) to the spark plugs, didn't use my torque wrench. After putting back the coil on top of the spark plug, it helped secure the spark plug from coming out. You'll notice that when you loosen the engine cover nuts and the spark plugs, they aren't on tight to begin with. You don't want to over torque the spark plugs and end up stripping the threads of the valve cover.

You don't need to disconnect the battery and you can leave the fan shroud in place and still get to the engine cover bolt next to it.

The oem spark plugs that I took out were the ngk DCPR8EKP multi-ground spark plug (it says NGK R on the spark plug). $10 amazon prime, was $20 at the dealership.

[M3man2001]

Thanks a ton for the thread! I knocked mine out tonight no problem. Advance Auto Parts had a coupon so I got the 6x NGK Platinums for like $52, score!

[AltF4]

Originally Posted by M3man2001

Thanks a ton for the thread! I knocked mine out tonight no problem. Advance Auto Parts had a coupon so I got the 6x NGK Platinums for like $52, score!

[NY]

Just bumping this. Doing mine tomorrow if the weather holds up. I'm midway through Inspection 2. Woke up today to knock them out but the weather was iffy here so I held off.

[Zoomz]

Replaced my coil packs today. I guess I should have done the spark plugs too. I thought with 53k they should be ok, but from some of the pictures in this thread I think I'm ordering plugs now.
Thanks lax for you 5 year old write up, still works like a charm

[NY]

Originally Posted by Zoomz

Replaced my coil packs today. I guess I should have done the spark plugs too. I thought with 53k they should be ok, but from some of the pictures in this thread I think I'm ordering plugs now.
Thanks lax for you 5 year old write up, still works like a charm

You definitely shoulda did them. I did them last week with 47,8xx and this is what cylinder 1 looked like compared to new:

[see.m3.go]

Originally Posted by simonappolis

One added tip tht helps me remove the coil/plug. After disconnecting the connector from the coil, take a shoelace and slide it under the female connector and use this to pull out the coil. Its a pain in the a## to do it by pulling on the top of coil with your fingers, but pops right out using a shoelace (or similar).

+1... Tried using my finger, and pullled fairly hard without the coil coming out, but I used a screwdriver, stuck it through the ring, pulled up, and it popped out super easily